colleges near a beach/coastline

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I grew up in northern California, but have spent my last 4 years in Indiana, outside of Chicago. While I like a lot of Midwestern LACs, I would like to at least look at a few schools that are located in a warmer environment, preferably close enough to a beach (or really large lake) that I can spend time there on an occassional weekend.
About me - I am a jr, white male, 4.0 UW. Will have 5 APs (all the school has) and currently a 30 on the ACT. I will take again, as well as SAT. I am also an atheist, and would not feel comfortable at a school with a large religious presence, but don't mind some religious affiliation. I don't drink, but want a Greek life on campus if possible. The Greek life must be diverse as well. I would like to attend a school with enrollment under 10,000, and more likely smaller is better. I do theater and student government and community service now and would like to continue if possible. Although I am a liberal, I don't want to attend a school that is filled with hippie chicks, but I don't want to be the only Democrat in a sea of Young Republican types. I know this post is full of stereotypes, but at this point, I am trying to paint a picture. Also, I will need substancial financial aid, though that is something my parents look at more than I do at this point. So: warm, driving distance to a beach coast, moderate politically, Greek but not too much of a party, solid academics and financial aid. Anything?</p>

2

<p>Eckerd is on the beach, but it doesn’t have fraternities, and I don’t know how generous they are with aid. Tulane and Loyola in New Orleans come to mind. Rollins may fit, but I don’t think their Greek life is “inclusive”.</p>

3

<p>look at The College of Charleston. Yes, it’s in the south, but it has a big draw of students from northeast (all types, not all religious).</p>

4

<p>^yea and also there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the south so…i live about 5mins away from that school so posts like that kinda hit home</p>

5

<p>Check out Occidental in CA and Rollins College in FL. Rollins is located on a lake and it’s an hour to Daytona Beach. Also, look at Stetson College. Not on a lake, but less than an hour to the beach.</p>

6

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<p><a href=“http://www.bestcollegesonline.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/pepperdine.jpg[/url]”>http://www.bestcollegesonline.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/pepperdine.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>beautiful Pepperdine, overlooking the Malibu shores would be out of the question then</p>

7

<p>UCSD…walking distance to the beach</p>

<p><a href=“http://www-it.desy.de/common/conferences/CHEP2003/chep03.jpg[/url]”>http://www-it.desy.de/common/conferences/CHEP2003/chep03.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

8

<p>UCSB, also walking distance to the beach</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.econ.ucsb.edu/~harmon/Ucsb3.jpg[/url]”>http://www.econ.ucsb.edu/~harmon/Ucsb3.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

9

<p>You can see the beach from some classes at UCSB so I’d suggest that as well.</p>

10

<p>Northwestern! Best campus ever.</p>

11

<p>

Then all the UCs would be terrible choices.</p>

12

<p>For surfers, the University of North Florida is the best set up of any Florida college. The Atlantic Ocean beaches are only 7 miles from the campus and the school has a lot of surfers. It’s a state univ with about 15,000 students; you’d get nailed with OOS tuition rate though. Wax your board and head to UNF!</p>

13

<h1>10 Northwestern is great, but the OP was looking for a warmer environment which it, unfortunately, does not offer many months of the year. Nonetheless, having the lake being the east border of the campus, it’s just beautiful all year round, including when it is so cold the students walk (at their peril) on the portions of the lake near the shore.</h1>

14

<p>There aren’t too many modern college campuses in eastern U.S. near the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico because of potential flooding and hurricane hazards; think Tulane!</p>

15

<p>Thanks for these responses. I hadn’t heard of Stetson, and so I will look into that right away. I will also look at Rollins and Eckerd, Loyola and Tulane. I hadn’t thought of Charleston either. I have nothing against the South, only don’t want to feel too out of place as an atheist.
BTW, Norhtwestern is already on my list, but it is too cold here! I may end up staying in the Midwest but I would like a few warmer options as well.</p>

16

<p>Flagler (FL) and UNC Wilmington</p>

17

<p>Definitely agree with checking out College of Charleston. I know several families with experiences there and they have been positive. I think you would get at least in-state tuition w/ your stats. Maybe more. My daughter almost went there–it was on her short list; she is non-religious and hesitant about a ‘deep south’ feel–she found it very diverse and loved the city and the school. In the end, it was too far for her comfort level. She interviewed some professors and liked everything academically, etc. Beautiful location, nice size school.</p>

18

<p>Claremont McKenna, Pomona College, Harvey Mudd (for engineering), in other words the claremont colleges - they are all within driving distance of the LA beaches, are small LACs, offer need based financial aid.</p>

<p>USC - merit and need based aid, within driving distance of beach.</p>

<p>All of the above schools are neither conservative by reputation nor religious.</p>

<p>You would need a car though - or a friend with a car.</p>

19

<p>UNC-Chapel Hill. Great OOS financial aid, and only 2 hours from some of the best beaches on the East Coast. Trust me, people here go to the beach all the time when the weather is nice.</p>

<p>Wake and Duke would also qualify-same general area, just not sure how they are on financial aid.</p>

20

<p>University of Miami. Probably some merit money with your stats.</p>